Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, and Markus Soeder, the Prime Minister of Bavaria, have expressed their support for reforming Germany's strict debt brake policy.

Merkel has emphasized the need for a limited relaxation of borrowing limits, particularly in areas such as defense spending and critical investments where Germany is lagging behind. The objective of this approach is to maintain social stability and address important national priorities.

This represents a significant change for the conservative Christian Democrats, who are currently leading in the polls ahead of the upcoming February election.